theProf Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Rate the Falcons Free Agents12:43 pm February 28, 2012, by Dawson Devitt (D3)Rate your Falcons soon-to-be free agents on importance of re-signing. 1) Brent GrimesAccording to reports, it appears the Falcons are intent on keeping. If Dimitroff and Co. can find a way to keep Grimes to a reasonable but fair deal, some of the other needed free agents, and fixing the OL, it would be a coup. 2) Curtis LoftonThe big debate centers on Lofton and how much to pay. He may still need some work on coverage, but he’s a known commodity and someone to build around. Hard to imagine him getting Patrick Willis money in Atlanta, though. 3) Harry DouglasThis ones a no-brainer. There’s no one proven after him, he’s shown he can play, he can take over for Roddy White down the road, and he solidifies the offensive arsenal for years. 4) Jason SnellingHe is extremely versatile and if he could make a permanent move to fullback, the Falcons could keep yet another weapon. He’s also insurance for an aging Turner. 5) Thomas DeCoudHe may not have been spectacular of late, but based on his 2009 season, he deserves another shot under a legit defensive coordinator and should be signed for a pretty reasonable price. He did fight off James Sanders for the starting position last year. 6) James SandersThe ultimate insurance player for the Falcons. He gives solid depth and can play both safety positions. May even win the battle to start free safety. Excellent insurance for an oft-injured William Moore and has quality experience from his New England days. 7) Kroy BiermannWith the expected exit of John Abraham, this is a good move for insurance, excellent rotational play, and maybe even Nolan can use Biermann in 3-4 looks as an outside, rush linebacker. Like DeCoud, it should be a pretty reasonable price. Mendoza LineAfter here, it won’t be the end of the world if these players don’t come back. 8.) John AbrahamYes, he’s been a great Falcon and been the only pass rush for the Falcons the last 5+ years, but he’s evidently also asking for an absolutely insane contract (reportedly around $12 million). Abraham had 9.5 sacks last year with 4.5 of them coming against the Jaguars and Bucs. He also has battled injuries, already had his snap count cut way down, and will be 34 next year. 9) Eric WeemsAssuming that Harry Douglas is re-upped, this one is fairly inconsequential. He was excellent as a returner and special teams player in 2010, not so much in 2011, and made over a million dollars. He’s never been a part of the passing game. It would be nice to get him back, but no way overpay. 10) Joe ZelenkaHe’s been a great long-snapper and this one probably will get done as well considering it can’t be that much, but it’s hard to also imagine it being really difficult to find a good long-snapper. 11) Todd McClureSure, if he wants to come back and compete for his old job at a low cost, than fine. But it’s also time to get ready to start re-building this offensive line and bringing McClure back would just put that off for another year. Will be 35 this year and battled injuries all season in 2011. 12) Kelvin HaydenIf for some reason Brent Grimes does head out of town, than Kelvin Hayden would be an excellent re-sign for insurance purposes and could be a big value if he could ever stay healthy. If Grimes does come back, Hayden is surely not needed. 13) Mike PetersonJust like Hayden and Weems, it makes a ton of sense to bring him back if other big time free agents leave. So if Lofton does opt for the max contract, than bringing him back would add veteran leadership and insurance, but if Lofton comes back, its simply time to move on and develop the young guys. 14) Chris RedmanRedman will probably be back out of the pure fact that the Falcons have done a pretty poor job of developing any other QB not named Matt Ryan. That likelihood is also increased since the Falcons don’t have many draft picks in April, but anything close to what he made the last several years, forget about it.http://blogs.ajc.com...ta_falcons_fans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vel Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 I agree with that list. I think those top 7 are the ones that will be brought back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caver50 Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 Your rating would be the same as keepers and walkers, also the same as a mock minus the draft.This evaluation is almost identical to mine. Very good Pro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaigle Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 (edited) I'm torn between your #1 & #2---- I sometimes would reverse themmainly because I have more faith in Franks being ready than I do in Dent being readyFor Me Snelling can move further down the list -- way downYou list 14 everyone says 17Who are the other 3 Chambers, Kelly , Romberg ??? What is Cox's status??I know Palmer and Smith are ERFA and Walker is RFAADDED It has been reported in a few articles that Atl will not be re-signing PetersonSnelling -if they had long term plans, why did they not insist on a long term contract last year. They only re-signed him for 1 year. Edited February 29, 2012 by delaigle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaderMan Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 1 Grimes - good CBs rank with good DEs, so hard to find them. Sign him!2 Douglas - He is front of Lofton imo, he is a must have. We already doubt Ryan at least to some degree. The last thing we need is to take a weapon from him, Ryan is good but nothing special and he has limitations that we are all aware of. We have the new OC, so we can take away a valuable weaopn like HD. If Ryan and the offense falter, then we know its Ryan and not so much MM. Get HD signed!3 Abe- Abe just may be gone and if wont come down from 12mil, so be it. None the less we need him much more than we need Lofton(much easier replaced than Abe). Lofton is nothing special, im sorry guys he isnt. He can tackle and stop the run with the best of them...But Im confident Dent can do that. They are the same player in essence. He all wondered why TD took Dent in the 3rd, perhaps he forsaw this. Please dont over pay for a 2 down MLB. Our much repsected DC is already on record saying Lofton is a liability in coverage. We all know he isnt effective as a blitzer either. He is not worth more than 6mil per year tops, if that. Now Abe or someone close to him is a must...maybe Avril would fill in nicely here.4 Lofton - If he is willing to recognize his short comings and accept a contract that reflects that, then sign him. I honestly think 6 mil per is fair. I saw that article saying the market is set for Lofton. The MLBs on there were making between 7-9mil per. Lofton is about 6 imo, so well see.I dont see anyone else on our FA list that we possibly NEED back. All the rest can go and use that money to bring in new talent. Sign Grubbs, Mcneal, Solia, and Avril. In fact I would rather not sign Abe and Lofton if it meant we could get Solia and Avril...I will take that all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theProf Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 I'm torn between your #1 & #2---- I sometimes would reverse themmainly because I have more faith in Franks being ready than I do in Dent being readyFor Me Snelling can move further down the list -- way downYou list 14 everyone says 17Who are the other 3 Chambers, Kelly , Romberg ??? What is Cox's status??I know Palmer and Smith are ERFA and Walker is RFAADDED It has been reported in a few articles that Atl will not be re-signing PetersonSnelling -if they had long term plans, why did they not insist on a long term contract last year. They only re-signed him for 1 year.If Atlanta cuts Ovie for cap space, then Snelling might become the starting fullback, and with his versatility, could still be used as a back-up RB. Best list of Falcons Free Agents that I've seen as follows:.Jan. 23, 2012 1:06 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - WR Weems among Falcons free agents on offenseAtlanta has 11 potential free agents on offense, nine unrestricted: C Todd McClure, QB Chris Redman, WR Eric Weems, WR Harry Douglas, TE Michael Palmer (exclusive rights), RB Jason Snelling, RB Antone Smith (Exclusive Rights), TE Reggie Kelly, OL Kirk Chambers, C Brett Romberg and LS Joe Zelenka. Falcons RapidReportsJan. 23, 2012 12:51 p.m. - by Knox Bardeen - Falcons have nine free agents on defenseAtlanta has nine potential free agents on defense, eight unrestricted: LB Curtis Lofton, DE John Abraham, CB Brent Grimes, S Thomas DeCoud, DE Kroy Biermann, CB Kelvin Hayden, S James Sanders, DT Vance Walker (Restricted), and LB Mike Peterson. Falcons RapidReports Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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